Replace RFT with RFT?

[PhoKingGuy]

I'm about to tick 20k miles on my 335i, which means I need to start thinking about replacement tires in the next thousand miles or so.

I currently have these on it right now (OEM tire)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...utoModel=335i Sedan&autoModClar=Sport Package

Would it make sense to jump to a non RFT like this?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...utoModel=335i Sedan&autoModClar=Sport Package

There's tons of debate over this on the BMW forums with no real clear answer, hopefully I can get something better from one of you guys

I know if I ever get a flat I'll be stuck, but other than that what are my options?

 

[phucheneh]

Runflats suck. They're overpriced and ride like trash.

How many years of AAA can you buy for the difference in price?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Runflats suck. They're overpriced and ride like trash.

How many years of AAA can you buy for the difference in price?

Allstate insurance includes their own form of AAA, so I already have it.

 

[ND40oz]

Michelin offers 3 years of roadside assistance, so just get some Pilot Super Sports if you're looking for summer tires.

Also, if it's a lease, you'll need to turn it back in with runflats, just something to think about if you're in that position. Personally, I replace the stock tires as soon as I get it and put them in the basement, then when I go to trade or sell it, it has practically brand new runflats. Same practice works for a lease as well.

 

[NutBucket]

Unless you're road tripping all the time I wouldn't bother.

 

[sgrinavi]

Run flat tires are super rigid, put a decent sport tire on it and you'll think it's a different car.

 

[Mutilator]

Michelin Pilot Super Sports + ContiComfortKit just in case. Can throw in a tire warranty and still be less than the run flats.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

When I wore out the OEM run-flats on my E90 330i, I replaced them with Hankook Ventus V12s, and got a BMW M roadside flat kit. This is a handy item to have since I also run non-runflat Blizzaks in the winter.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

+1, replace the run flats. The newest RFT are better than the older stuff, but still nowhere near a regular tire in road feel.

Personally, I would buy a spare wheel and a mobility kit. Keep the mobility kit for around town stuff, and throw a small spare/jack in the trunk if you're going to be in the middle of nowhere. I don't care much for the mobility/tire gunk kits simply because they dump a bunch of beloved patriot into the wheel, but if it's a matter of getting home then I'd do it.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335i-N54_3.0L/ES2535349/ You can probably 'build' a spare kit for cheaper.

Roadside assistance is great in the city, but I've heard of 4-5 hour waits for people who in remote areas. It all depends on where you plan on going. Either way, I would ditch the run flats.

 

[phucheneh]

Fix-a-flat (whether that specific brand or something else) is pretty much worthless, IMO. If you get a sudden flat and are stuck on the side of the road, your tire is probably trashed.

Slow leaks, generally from loose debris puncturing your tire, is all that the stuff really addresses. We've got TPMS to help make sure that kind of thing gets caught early. And even then, I've seen it turn a slow leak from nail into a large leak after it lubed the nail up and it took the counter-productive route of falling back out. If the item that punctured the tire is not actually embedded in it, you've got no chance at sealing it.

Makes much more sense to me to carry one of the little cigarette lighter compressors and a cheap plug kit. If you've got one of the factory compressors that automatically injects the fix-a-flat (Camaros do, for example), I'd still just use the regular compressor function and go with a plug.

But as stated, that does nothing for a tire with sidewall damage. Or a bent wheel. Spares are nice to have...frankly I think it should be a mandated thing.

edit: random advice...in addition to the plug kit, make sure you carry a pair of dykes (sidecutters). Infinitely useful for digging things out of the tire so you can plug it. Much better at grabbing stuff than pliers.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Fix-a-flat (whether that specific brand or something else) is pretty much worthless, IMO. If you get a sudden flat and are stuck on the side of the road, your tire is probably trashed.

Slow leaks, generally from loose debris puncturing your tire, is all that the stuff really addresses. We've got TPMS to help make sure that kind of thing gets caught early. And even then, I've seen it turn a slow leak from nail into a large leak after it lubed the nail up and it took the counter-productive route of falling back out. If the item that punctured the tire is not actually embedded in it, you've got no chance at sealing it.

Makes much more sense to me to carry one of the little cigarette lighter compressors and a cheap plug kit. If you've got one of the factory compressors that automatically injects the fix-a-flat (Camaros do, for example), I'd still just use the regular compressor function and go with a plug.

But as stated, that does nothing for a tire with sidewall damage. Or a bent wheel. Spares are nice to have...frankly I think it should be a mandated thing.

edit: random advice...in addition to the plug kit, make sure you carry a pair of dykes (sidecutters). Infinitely useful for digging things out of the tire so you can plug it. Much better at grabbing stuff than pliers.

Ideally yeah it would have a spare, but theres no place in the trunk for it. I would have to have the thing just sitting there, not so much a fan.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

When I wore out the OEM run-flats on my E90 330i, I replaced them with Hankook Ventus V12s, and got a BMW M roadside flat kit. This is a handy item to have since I also run non-runflat Blizzaks in the winter.

I think I'm going to jump on these, seem to be the best compromise of $$$ and ratings.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...utoModel=335i Sedan&autoModClar=Sport Package

 

[Fenixgoon]

I think I'm going to jump on these, seem to be the best compromise of $$$ and ratings.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...utoModel=335i Sedan&autoModClar=Sport Package

how much for V12's? IIRC they're a step up from S04's.

get some ZII's or RE11's..now we're talkin! :twisted::twisted:

 

[PhoKingGuy]

how much for V12's? IIRC they're a step up from S04's.

get some ZII's or RE11's..now we're talkin! :twisted::twisted:

V12's are significantly cheaper, lol.

I'm commuting a lot more now, id love one of those two but replacing at 10-15k isnt going to cut it.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I don't doubt those S04s are better than the V12s, though on the road it may not make a ton of difference. I will say that my car's turn-in was noticeably better with the OEM run-flats than with non-RFTs - that stiff sidewall does help a great deal with steering response. Overall my OEM Bridgestone RFTs were better than the Hankooks on the track - the Hankooks wore very noticeably after just a couple of hours of track use.

 

[nerp]

Fix a flat can also destroy TMPS sensors.

 

[Black2na]

Friend of mine replaced the RFT on his 09 335d sport package with Dunlop dz101 said ride quality Improved greatly. So lose the RFT for a conventional set you'll be happier as will your wallet!

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I don't doubt those S04s are better than the V12s, though on the road it may not make a ton of difference. I will say that my car's turn-in was noticeably better with the OEM run-flats than with non-RFTs - that stiff sidewall does help a great deal with steering response. Overall my OEM Bridgestone RFTs were better than the Hankooks on the track - the Hankooks wore very noticeably after just a couple of hours of track use.

I'm not going to be tracking anymore other than the weekend spirited drive. Ride comfort/wear are a little more important now.

Guy where I always get my tires done (america's tire) said that the TPMS sensor is like 400 bucks if I crush it with a flat? That doesn't sound right.

 

[NutBucket]

BMW tax

 

[hans007]

i've got 6k miles or so on mine and i have the newer 3rd generation runflats so they aren't quite as stiff as on older bimmers (like the e90 generation...)

that said its still pretty stiff. they also seem to result in more bent rims as the sidewalls transfer the force into your wheel more.

i'm going to buy normal tires once mine wear out in a year or so... probably conti DWS.

as others have said get AAA or other roadside assistance. and if you are really concerned just buy a bmw donut spare (on bmw forums they've figured out which will fit from the older gen cars) and put it in the trunk if you go on a road trip , and bring tire sealant etc for normal trips (like the M cars come with and their NON RUNFLAT tires). even bmw knows runflats suck, thats why M cars have normal tires. runflats just weigh less so they can get better EPA numbers / weight balance. mercedes and audi already went back to standard tires. cadillac and bmw are the only ones still using them